Questions and reports related to Sierra Nevada current and forecast conditions, as well as general precautions and safety information. Trail conditions, fire/smoke reports, mosquito reports, weather and snow conditions, stream crossing information, and more.

I have permits for the Rae Lakes loop Friday to Tuesday. Unfortunately I'm seeing 75 mile winds in the forecast. That seems pretty damn excessive to me. Would rangers even allow us into the park with those conditions? Anyways, I have a healthy fear of tree fall after doing Iva Bell a few times and seeing what high winds did to that area. Am I being paranoid? I've been backpacking for years but I've never seen 75 mph winds. I was up the Big Pine South Fork a few weeks ago and the forecast said 30 mph gusts and that was crappy by itself.

I do not know where you got your weather information. The NWS forecast, just now, at the location of Glenn Pass, shows 45mph gusts. The higher winds are for the Owens Valley side. As for trees that fall, that is a concern even in lower winds. Simply choose your campsite wisely. Give yourself enough time to find a wind-protected campsite (not wise to try to find a site in the dark). The high temperatures are going to be low, so the wind-chill could be significant. These are not summer conditions; be sure you have clothing suitable for those conditions and that your tent is wind-worthy. You may want to put on some extra ties and bring more tent stakes. It certainly is NOT going to be very warm. You can always turn back if conditions get ugly.

The Park Service does not close the park or restrict backpacking permits due to weather, unless it will significantly affect the front-country (roads and campgrounds) or presents a significant fire danger. Backpackers are expected to evaluate risk themselves.

If you are on a pass or a peak, yes, winds are a huge concern. Hiking up high on a ridge, yes. Shoulder seasons can be this way. Extra layers, extra tie outs and stakes, and awareness of your surroundings are paramount. I've changed a route several times in the middle of a trip because of the wind - it's definitely not a good time to do Whitney, for example. But I would still go - in fact, we are going, into the Yosemite high country this weekend. Choosing a campsite in a sheltered location without widowmakers (standing dead trees) and having wind proof clothing (windbreaker or rain shell) will be our tactic.

on my trip last month the forecast for the first few days was in the 20-40 mph range, but it was dead still or blowing so modestly that you wouldn't even notice it for the entire six days that we were out there. i'm not sure what my point is exactly. 75 mph certainly sounds very unpleasant.

Thank you everyone for getting back to me. I think we're going to hit the first leg of the trip to Junction Meadow on Friday and see how things go Sat morning. If it's to miserable or dangerous we'll head back.

If anyone has any ideas for car camping and day hiking spots in that area let me know. I'd like a good backup plan. Thanks again!

Use the following site to see when and where the strongest winds are expected, and they are forecasted to be strong. Going over Glen Pass in the morning is highly recommended, the earlier the better, winds are strongest 12 pm on, into the afternoons, Thur-Sat. https://www.windy.com/-Wind-gusts-gust? ... ,m:eKgacTM

Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, an HST member:http://reconn.org

Wear the right clothes for the forecast.
Guy your tent down. Camp in wind-protected areas. Don't be afraid of the woods. Be cautious of the woods. Don't be afraid to use rock shelters (disassemble them when you're done.)
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